Ruben Amorim took charge of his first Manchester United training session on Monday. The 39-year-old started work as the new United head coach last week following his arrival from Sporting CP, but had to wait seven days before getting started on the training field due to work permit issues.
But now, Amorim has been able to see some of his United squad on the grass for the first time. Although a number of his players remain away on international duty – including the likes of Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Manuel Ugarte – he was still able to get a strong group together at Carrington.
Leny Yoro, signed from Lille for £52million in the summer, was among those spotted in training as he continues to build back up to fitness. Mason Mount made his return to action against PAOK earlier this month and he was involved, as was Kobbie Mainoo, who hasn’t featured since picking up an injury in early October.
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Amad Diallo took part despite withdrawing from international duty with Ivory Coast, while Jonny Evans, Casemiro, Antony, Tom Heaton, Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw were the other first-teamers out on the training field. In total, there were just 10 senior players out there for Amorim’s first session.
Also part of the squad training in Amorim’s first session was 16-year-old Godwill Kukonki. It’s the first time the teenager, who is a left-footed defender, has joined first-team training but is a regular starter at centre-back for the Under 18s. Kukonki has scored one goal and added two assists in nine matches for the U18s this season.
Explaining why he joined United in his first interview, Amorim told the club website: “First of all, I think I felt a connection with the club. And when I say with the club, everybody knows Manchester United. But I feel the connection with the people in the club and that is very important for me because I want to work with people that I like and I feel a connection.
“The second point is the history of this club. All the people are hungry for success and I feel that this is the place that I want to be also because of that, because you can be part of something special, not just one more. And that is something that I really like. And of course, because of the fans, because in Portugal you listen a lot, a lot of stuff from the media. But when you see the games here, when you see the games, the interaction with the managers, with the players, even in difficult moments, I think it is a special club.”
